Despite one of the coldest days in December chilling the air outside, a cozy warmth filled The MC Hotel as close to 100 community members gathered for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The festive event, hosted inside the hotel, served as a heartfelt celebration of the holiday season and a reaffirmation of the hotel’s commitment to the township.
The feeling was described by attendees as “warm and fuzzy,” a welcome contrast to the frigid weather. The hotel staff kept the cheer high, serving fresh-baked Christmas treats, including brownies and gingerbread men, alongside steaming cups of hot cocoa.
The evening’s host, longtime investor and head of Circle Squared Alternative Investments, Jeff Sica, addressed the crowd, expressing deep gratitude to the community.
Sica recently gained control of The MC Hotel and has partnered with national hospitality leader Stonebridge Companies and Stout NYC Hospitality Group (which manages the hotel) to elevate the property’s status.
“I want to thank you for all you’ve done,” Sica stated. “And my appreciation is without words, so thank you. I want everybody from Montclair to know that we are here for you, and we are proud to be a part of this incredible community, and we are here to help the town of Montclair continue to be the incredible place it is.”
The festive crowd included several key community figures: Montclair Mayor, Dr. Renee Baskerville, First Responders, local partners and the dedicated MC Hotel staff, including Angela Monteiro and Christine Mesropyan.
The highlight of the evening arrived when Sica invited Baskerville to the podium to light the tree. With a collective gasp of anticipation from the warm indoor gathering, the mayor led the official count down. Seconds later, the Christmas tree outside The MC Hotel illuminated Montclair’s crisp winter evening in a brilliant display of light.
The event underscored the hotel’s commitment not just to hospitality, but to becoming a cornerstone of community warmth and celebration in Montclair. Be on the lookout for more from Sica as the MC Hotel together with Stout prepare to open a farm-to-table Italian restaurant CampoFiore just a few doors down from the MC early in 2026.
